If you're looking for a book to give to a chess player this Christmas, I can give an unreserved recommendation to Genna Sosonko's Russian Silhouettes. This book, which is a combination of articles that appeared in New in Chess Magazine, and original material, doesn't have a single game in it. There is no opening analysis or suggestions on how to improve your play, but all chess players will love it. It's that rare chess book that can simply be read. Sosonko, who spent the first half of his life in the Soviet Union before moving to Holland, possesses great chess culture. In Russian Silhouettes, Sosonko writes about such giants as Mikhail Tal, Mikhail Botvinnik, Lev Polugaevsky, and Yefim Geller. Lesser, but intriguing figures, like Alvis Vitolins and Semyon Furman, are also covered in this book, which features some great photographs from the past. Highly recommended.

YOU CAN FIND THIS BOOK AT